Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly
A view of Clonmacnoise. A replica of the remains of the North Cross can be seen in the foreground.
Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly
Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly
A view of Clonmacnoise. A replica of the remains of the North Cross can be seen in the foreground.
Clonmacnoise was founded by St. Ciarán, who was born around 512. His father was a man called Beoit and his mother was called Darerca. His father was a carpenter and chariot maker. Ciarán was born and reared in an area that is in the present-day Roscommon. He had a number of brothers and sisters. Some of them also entered the religious life.
Clonmacnoise, circa 1840
An artist's impression of Clonmacnoise dating from around 1841. From the drawing, we can tell that the round tower had already lost its top by that date. Taken from The Scenery and Antiquities of Ireland, by J. Stirling Coyne.
Clonmacnoise, circa 1840
Clonmacnoise, circa 1840
An artist's impression of Clonmacnoise dating from around 1841. From the drawing, we can tell that the round tower had already lost its top by that date. Taken from The Scenery and Antiquities of Ireland, by J. Stirling Coyne.
As a young boy, Ciarán helped his family herd cattle and studied his lessons while out in the fields. When he was older, he went to study with St. Finian at Clonard, which is in modern-day Meath. He later studied on Aran with St. Enda, where he was ordained a priest.
Cathedral Window at Clonmacnoise
A window in what remains of the Cathedral at Clonmacnoise.
Cathedral Window at Clonmacnoise
Cathedral Window at Clonmacnoise
A window in what remains of the Cathedral at Clonmacnoise.
After spending time in various monasteries, Ciarán eventually founded his monastery at Clonmacnoise in January of 544. However, in September of the same year, he became very ill with a plague and died, only a young man in his early thirties. His feast day is September 9, the date on which he died. Despite the young age at which he died, he had managed to found a monastic school whose fame would endure down the centuries.